Jumuah 101s

Required & Recommended things to do before attending a Jumuah:

Intention: Many of us go to the mosque on Friday as a matter of tradition and habit, without making the intention of worship, whereas an intention is a precondition for the Jumu’ah prayer and all other acts of worship.

Purifying and cleaning oneself: The person intending to perform Salat al-Jumuah is highly encouraged to have ghusl (full bath or shower). The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that the ghusl for Salat a-Jumuah is recommended (sunnah) but not obligatory. The ghusl is performed starting from the time of Fajr Prayer. Also, if a person performs ghusl and then later invalidates his ablution, he need not repeat the ghusl. Making ablution (wudhu) suffices. Furthermore, one ghusl may be used for removing sexual defilement (janabah) and for Salat al-Jumuah.

Going early to the masjid: There is a great reward in going early to Salat al-Jumuah, beginning after sunrise. By leaving for Salat al-Jumuah, one gets the reward of waiting for the Prayer, making dhikr (remembering Allah) and voluntary prayers during that time. Abu Umamah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) said, “The angels sit at the doors to the Masjids and with them are scrolls in which they record the people [who come]. When the Imam appears, the scrolls are rolled up.” Abu Umamah was asked, “Does the one who comes after the Imam still have a Friday Prayer?” he said, “Certainly, but he is not one of those who is recorded [as coming early].” [Ahmad and al-Tabarani]

Performing tahiyyat al-Masjid: If a person comes late to the Friday Prayer while the Imam is delivering the khutbah, should he pray the two rak`ahs of tahiyyat al-Masjid (prayer of greeting the mosque) and the sit or should he simply skip them? The strongest opinion is to perform the tahiyyat al-Masjid based on the Hadith of the Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam): “If one of you comes to the Masjid, he should pray two rak`ahs before he sits” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. However, tahiyyat al-Masjid is not required of the person giving the khutbah. Also, this requirement is limited only to prayers offered in a Masjid.

Sunnah to do on the day of Jumuah:

Read surah al-kahf

Make supplication to the prophet Muhammed (PBUH)

Make Duaa at the hour between Asr & maghrib

Mistakes to Avoid

Talking and disturbing others who are praying or reciting the Quran.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If you say to your companion when the imam is preaching on Friday, ‘Be quiet and listen,’ you have engaged in idle talk.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 892; Muslim, 851).

This prohibition also applies to responding to a question about Islam, let alone any other kind of speech that has to do with worldly matters.

Abandoning Jumua’h: The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Let those who abandon attending the Jumu’ah prayer refrain from doing so, or Allaah will seal their hearts and they will become heedless.”[Muslim].

Shopping during Jumua’h: Shopping or engaging in trade after the Athaan (call for prayer) has been called for the Jumu’ah sermon, while Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {“O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salaat (prayer) on Friday (Jumu`ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu`ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaat (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know.”}[Quran, 62:9].Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him said, “It is forbidden to buy or sell at that time.”

Passing over people’s shoulders: Or forcefully separating people in order to sit between them, and harming people by forcing them into cramped spaces. The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said to a man who was passing over people’s shoulders during the Jumu’ah sermon: “Sit down, because you have harmed people.”

Leaving the mosque after the Athaan has been called without a valid excuse.